Photography & Filming

COMMERCIAL FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
The Watercress Line is pleased to have a long record spanning several decades as a versatile location in film, television and photographic productions, ranging from photo shoots, adverts and television dramas to feature films.

The railway buildings and infrastructure provide a historical Southern Railways setting between the 1940's to 1960's which can be further adapted to fit the needs of the project in hand, from Victorian to modern times.

The locomotive power encompasses steam and diesel, with a wide range of carriages and wagons available.

The Railway's close proximity to London provides easy access via both road and rail, with the direct link from London Waterloo station.

PRIVATE FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Visitors are permitted to film and/or photograph at the Mid Hants Railway Ltd for personal use only. Filming and photography for commercial gain is strictly prohibited unless pre-approved by the Company.

Drones must not be operated on or within 50m of Mid Hants Railway property.

The Mid Hants Railway only permits line side access to those with a valid Mid Hants Identity Card and PTS. No other line side access is permitted, including PTS certification issued by other heritage railways, and is viewed as trespass.

We respectfully ask photographers to remain in public areas. Please note that the field and crossing at Wanders Curve between Ropley and Medstead is not public land. Due to the amount of photographers that congregate in this area, we have been asked by the land owner to point out that this is private property and you will be trespassing in this field without the land owners consent. Cars parked in the access to the fields will be removed by the land owner. The railway asks that you respect the wishes of our neighbours and you do not trespass on to private property. Thank you.

Location Information
The Watercress Line is only an hour from London and 45 minutes from Longcross Studios. The line is 10 miles long, running between Alresford and Alton in rural Hampshire, England.

The railway is available as a self-contained location and given our wealth of experience we understand the needs and requirements of production companies and agencies. The majority of our staff are volunteers - highly committed and enthusiastic. Technical and historical expert advice with regard to both past and present railway scenes is all part of our service.

There are four stations on the line:

Alresford represents a typical Southern Railways station of the era 1923-1947 and has a large car park suitable for a location base. Alresford station is gas-lit, including the station buffet.

Ropley station represents a typical country station of the 1950's, with some fine topiary and locomotive yard and shed.

Medstead & Four Marks is a small country station restored in Southern green of the period 1923-47, with a goods yard and period booking office.

Alton station is shared with South West Trains and our platform represents the BR period of the 1950's.

At Alresford, Ropley and Medstead & Four Marks we have signal boxes, waiting rooms and ticket offices. There are footbridges at all our stations.

LocomotivesThe Mid Hants Railway has a variety of steam locomotives available, from ex-Southern Railway to former British Railways engines in green or black.

Diesel locomotives and trains are also available and because we are connected to the national rail network modern locomotives can be hired and readily brought to our line

CoachesThe majority of our coaches are ex British Railway Mk1's built in the 1950's, either open saloons or with the more traditional compartments. The majority are in green livery and could portray a period from World War Two to the late 1960's. For contemporary interiors our heritage diesel trains might have what you are looking for.

Wagons
We also have a large selection of goods (freight) wagons and steam cranes which are versatile props.

Lineside FeaturesThe track climbs through a series of deep cuttings, under and over bridges as well as embankments to reach the summit at Medstead & Four Marks station. There is also beautiful open country between Alresford and Medstead with scenic views across rolling countryside, and spectacular sunsets at Ropley.

Location Facilities & CostsAlresford and Ropley stations have large open areas suitable for a location base, adjacent to Ropley station is a large field which has been used for a helicopter pad. The railway can help with local contacts in hotels and other services. All our items from locomotives to suitcases can be available for hire.

Costs depend on individual needs. We are happy to give conducted tours to Location Managers to discuss requirements prior to producing a formal quotation.

Past ProductionsThe Watercress Line frequently features in its own right for productions, recently including: